Mental health groups express concern about readiness of new suicide prevention hotline

Mental health groups express concern about readiness of new suicide prevention hotline

Posted on June 18, 2022

Leading mental health and suicide prevention groups are expressing concern that the new, shorter number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 988 -- will not be ready to handle an anticipated influx of calls when it's available nationwide next month. Starting July 16, people seeking mental health services can call 988 to access counselors and response teams at the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI CAO, told CNN that her organization is "really worried" about the increase in demand once people learn of 988 in July and beyond given that "call centers are struggling to keep up with demand now."